Development of Single-Engine Turboprop Proceeding Apace

Textron Aviation—the general aviation subsidiary of technology conglomerate Textron and parent company of both Beechcraft and Cessna—has announced the successful first flight of its second, Beechcraft Denali flight-test aircraft.

The second test aircraft joins the first (prototype) Denali which has accumulated upward of two-hundred flight-test hours since its first flight in November 2021.

During its maiden flight, the second Denali—which approximates the aircraft’s finalized form—remained aloft approximately two-hours, during which it reached a maximum altitude of 15,500-feet and  a maximum speed of 240-knots.

“This flight is another vitally important step for the Beechcraft Denali program as the aircraft will be used primarily for testing aircraft systems like avionics, cabin environmental control and ice protection,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering & Programs.

“The team has made great progress, accomplishing key goals in the flight test program, and the Denali team heads into the second half of 2022 with a great deal of momentum.”

As the Denali flight-test certification program expands, a third flight-test aircraft and three full-airframe, ground-test vehicles will be incorporated for purpose of better evaluating aircraft systems, powerplant characteristics, avionics, and overall performance.

The Denali is the first aircraft powered by GE’s 1,300 shaft horsepower, FADEC-equipped, Catalyst turboprop engine. The engine and the 105-inch, McCauley, 5-blade, composite, full feathering, reversible-pitch, ice-protected propeller to which it’s mated are controlled by a single lever. Aviation purists currently choking on their coffee are assured the preceding is not a misprint.

The Denali indeed features a single-lever power and propeller control.

Up-front, Denali pilots will find Garmin’s high-resolution, touchscreen-enabled, G3000 avionics suite. An integrated Garmin auto-throttle—which interfaces with the Denali’s Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and Flight Management System (FMS)—is among the aircraft’s standard features.

Textron claims Denali operators can expect a cruise speed of 285-knots and a full-fuel payload of 1,100-pounds. The aircraft’s advertised 1,600-nautical-mile range is predicated upon one pilot and four passengers.

FMI: https://beechcraft.txtav.com